The report says Norway rested Haaland and several other regular starters before their last-32 meeting with Ivory Coast. With a short turnaround and another demanding fixture arriving soon, Solbakken appears to have valued recovery over momentum.
It is a bold calculation. Norway reportedly accepted a heavy defeat by France, while second place in the group could lead to a more difficult route later. A victory over Ivory Coast is therefore essential if the gamble is to look intelligent rather than costly.
Solbakken’s position, however, is easy to understand. A fully fit Haaland may matter more in a knockout tie than a marginal improvement in group position.
France took a different view, with a strong lineup reportedly rewarded by Ousmane Dembélé’s first-half hat-trick. Assistant coach Guy Stephan, standing in for Didier Deschamps, said he understood Norway’s selection and suggested its value would become clearer “in four days”.
That response reflects the attraction of continuity. Strong performances can preserve rhythm, maintain confidence and send a message to opponents. The danger is that every additional minute for key players increases fatigue before the matches that truly define a tournament.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez offered a middle ground, acknowledging that experience had softened his old obsession with winning every group. Yet he still wants his team focused on victory and a positive atmosphere.
Colombia’s Néstor Lorenzo reportedly remains more concerned with the table, while Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has maintained that he prepares only “to win, win and win”.
The next round will test these philosophies. Norway’s clash with Ivory Coast should reveal whether rest created an advantage, while France’s route will show whether momentum can outweigh the physical cost of going strong.